ASTM D4253-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the maximum-index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-draining soils using a vertically vibrating table. The adjective "dry before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and remaining portions of this standard to be consistent with the applicable definition given in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 Systems of Units
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has been developed and manufactured using values in the gravimetric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimensions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the standard.
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm) and a unit of force (lbf). This implicitly combines two separate systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single standard. This standard has been written using the gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight). However, balances or scales measure mass; and weight must be calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is common to assume that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm. While reporting density is not regarded as nonconformance with this standard, unit weights should be calculated and reported since the results may be used to determine force or stress.
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume whereas unit weight is force per unit volume. In this standard density is given only in SI units. After the density has been determined, the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
1.3 Four alternative methods are provided to determine the maximum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.3.1 Method 1A--Using oven-dried soil and an electromagnetic, vertically vibrating table.
1.3.2 Method 1B--Using wet soil and an electromagnetic, vertically vibrating table.
1.3.3 Method 2A--Using oven-dried soil and an eccentric or cam-driven, vertically vibrating table.
1.3.4 Method 2B--Using wet soil and an eccentric or cam-driven vertically vibrating table.
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the individual assigning the test.
1.4.1 The type of table to be used (Method 1 or 2) is likely to be decided based upon available equipment.
Note 1--There is evidence to show that electromagnetic tables yield slightly higher values of maximum index density/unit weight than the eccentric or cam-driven tables.
1.4.2 It is recommended that both the dry and wet methods (Methods 1A and 1B or 2A and 2B) be performed when beginning a new job or encountering a change in soil types, as the wet method can yield significantly higher values of maximum index density/unit weight for some soils. Such a higher maximum index density, when considered along with the minimum index density/unit weight, Test Methods D4254, will be found to significantly affect the value of the relative density (3.2.8) calculated for a soil encountered in the field. While the dry method is often preferred because results can usually be obtained more quickly, as a general rule the wet method should be used if it is established that it produces maximum index densities/unit weights that would significantly affect the use/application of the value of relative density.
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may contain up to 15 %, by dry mass, of soil particles passing a No. 200 (75-um) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless, free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in accordance with Specification E11). Further, these test methods are applicable to soils in which 100 %, by dry mass, of soil particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve.
1.5.1 Soils, for the purpose of these test methods, shall be...
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Designation:D4253–00
Standard Test Methods for
Maximum Index Density and Unit Weight of Soils Using a
1
Vibratory Table
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4253; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ε) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope * 1.3.2 Method 1B—Using wet soil and an electromagnetic,
vertically vibrating table.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
1.3.3 Method 2A—Usingoven-driedsoilandaneccentricor
maximum–index dry density/unit weight of cohesionless, free-
cam-driven, vertically vibrating table.
draining soils using a vertically vibrating table. The adjective
1.3.4 Method 2B—Using wet soil and an eccentric or
“dry before density or unit weight is omitted in the title and
cam-driven vertically vibrating table.
remaining portions of this standard to be consistent with the
1.4 The method to be used should be specified by the
applicable definition given in Section 3 on Terminology.
individual assigning the test.
1.2 Systems of Units:
1.4.1 The type of table to be used (Method 1 or 2) is likely
1.2.1 The testing apparatus described in this standard has
to be decided based upon available equipment.
been developed and manufactured using values in the gravi-
metric or inch-pound system. Therefore, test apparatus dimen-
NOTE 1—There is evidence to show that electromagnetic tables yield
sions and mass given in inch-pound units are regarded as the
slightly higher values of maximum index density/unit weight than the
eccentric or cam-driven tables.
standard.
1.2.2 It is common practice in the engineering profession to
1.4.2 It is recommended that both the dry and wet methods
concurrently use pounds to represent both a unit of mass (lbm)
(Methods 1A and 1B or 2A and 2B) be performed when
and a unit of force (lbf).This implicitly combines two separate
beginning a new job or encountering a change in soil types, as
systems of units; that is, the absolute system and the gravita-
the wet method can yield significantly higher values of
tionalsystem.Itisscientificallyundesirabletocombinetheuse
maximum index density/unit weight for some soils. Such a
of two separate sets of inch-pound units within a single
higher maximum index density, when considered along with
standard.Thisstandardhasbeenwrittenusingthegravitational
the minimum index density/unit weight,Test Methods D4254,
system of units when dealing with the inch-pound system. In
will be found to significantly affect the value of the relative
this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force (weight).
density (3.2.8) calculated for a soil encountered in the field.
However,balancesorscalesmeasuremass;andweightmustbe
While the dry method is often preferred because results can
calculated. In the inch-pound system, it is common to assume
usually be obtained more quickly, as a general rule the wet
that 1 lbf is equal to 1 lbm. While reporting density is not
method should be used if it is established that it produces
regarded as nonconformance with this standard, unit weights
maximumindexdensities/unitweightsthatwouldsignificantly
shouldbecalculatedandreportedsincetheresultsmaybeused
affect the use/application of the value of relative density.
to determine force or stress.
1.5 These test methods are applicable to soils that may
1.2.3 The terms density and unit weight are often used
containupto15%,bydrymass,ofsoilparticlespassingaNo.
interchangeably. Density is mass per unit volume whereas unit
200 (75-µm) sieve, provided they still have cohesionless,
weight is force per unit volume. In this standard density is
free-draining characteristics (nominal sieve dimensions are in
given only in SI units. After the density has been determined,
accordance with Specification E11). Further, these test meth-
the unit weight is calculated in SI or inch-pound units, or both.
odsareapplicabletosoilsinwhich100%,bydrymass,ofsoil
1.3 Four alternative methods are provided to determine the
particles pass a 3-in. (75-mm) sieve.
maximum index density/unit weight, as follows:
1.5.1 Soils, for the purpose of these test methods, shall be
1.3.1 Method 1A—Using oven-dried soil and an electro-
regarded as naturally occurring cohesionless soils, processed
magnetic, vertically vibrating table.
particles, or composites or mixtures of natural soils, or mix-
tures of natural and processed particles, provided they are free
1
draining.
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,
1.6 These test methods will typically produce a higher
Plasticity, and Density Characteristics of Soils.
ma
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